Hartford Mayor Enters Not Guilty Plea on Extortion Charges

HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford, Conn., Mayor Eddie Perez has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he tried to extort $250,000 from a real estate developer.

Perez entered the plea Friday to attempted extortion and conspiracy. He's asking for a jury trial. Prosecutors asked the judge to combine the case with corruption charges that are scheduled to go to trial next spring. The judge didn't immediately rule.

Perez surrendered to police Sept. 2. Prosecutors say he tried to extort money from a real estate developer who wanted to purchase city-owned property. Perez also was arrested on corruption charges in January, when prosecutors say he accepted a bribe from a city contractor. Perez has denied all the charges and has vowed to complete his term.